Indian Railways’ Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla will put the Srinagar of the railway’s map with connectivity to different components of the nation. As revealed by Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is essentially the most tough venture that the railways have undertaken post-independence. Vaishnaw quoted in a written reply in Lok Sabha, “The USBRL project is perhaps the most difficult new railway line project undertaken in the country post-independence. The terrain passes through the young Himalayas, which are full of geological surprises and numerous problems.”
Vaishnaw was responding to questions raised by three BJP MPs, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Bidyut Baran Mahato and Jugal Kishore Sharma, who requested the minister to offer particulars of the steps taken to increase the Indian Railways community in Jammu and Kashmir and the way the mentioned growth is benefiting native communities and companies.
“The work of the new line in Jammu and Kashmir is being undertaken under the USBRL project. Out of the total 272 km of the project, 161 km has already been commissioned,” Vaishnaw mentioned.
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He added, “The work on the Katra-Banihal (111 km) section has been taken up. Anticipated cost of the project is Rs 37,012 crore, against which, expenditure of ?34,261/- crore has been incurred up to March, 2023 on the project. An outlay of ?5,310 crore has been allocated for the year 2023-24.” Talking concerning the challenges within the venture, the railway minister mentioned the Katra-Banihal part predominantly entails tunnelling.
According to him, 97.42 km out of 111 km, which is 87 per cent of the entire size of Katra-Banihal part, is in tunnels and the utmost size of tunnel T-49 is 12.77 km, which would be the longest transportation railway tunnel within the nation.
“Railway has made the world’s highest Railway Bridge over Chenab river in Reasi District of Jammu and Kashmir. The iconic Chenab Bridge is 1,315 metres long having arch span of 467 metre and height of 359 metre above river bed,” Vaishnaw mentioned.
He added, “Indian Railways’ first cable-stayed bridge has been constructed over AnjiKhad. Its bridge deck is 331 metres above the river bed level and height of its main pylon is 193 metres.” Besides the USBRL, Vaishnaw mentioned that ultimate location survey of the next strains have been sanctioned: doubling of Baramulla-Banihal part (135.5km); new line of Baramulla-Uri (50km); new line of Sopore-Kupwara (33.7km); new line of Awantipora-Shopian (27.6km); and new line of Anantnag-Bijbehara-Pahalgam (77.5km).
Highlighting the socio-economic contributions of the USBRL venture, the minister mentioned that employment era is a big facet of its impression.
“The project has generated more than 553 lakh man-days of indirect employment so far. Another crucial facet of the USBRL project’s socio-economic development efforts has been the construction of over 215 km of approach roads, which include construction of a tunnel and 320 small bridges,” Vaishnaw mentioned.
“At present, nine pairs of trains are running over the Kashmir valley section due to which travel time of passengers has been reduced and travel experience has also become more comfortable than bus services. The passenger services and facilities are being improved by major redevelopment of Jammu Tawi railway station,” he mentioned.
Vaishnaw additionally knowledgeable the Lok Sabha that in accordance with worldwide norms, satisfactory security provisions have been saved in thoughts for the USBRL venture.
“All tunnels having length more than two km have been provided with mechanical ventilation systems to ensure air quality as per international norms,” he mentioned.
Besides, in keeping with him, a firefighting system consisting of fireside hydrants and fireplace extinguishers, to promptly handle and comprise potential fireplace incidents has been supplied in all of the tunnels. “Proper access roads have been constructed to all escape tunnels and adits,” Vaishnaw mentioned.
To guarantee security of passengers, he mentioned that trains plying between Baramulla and Banihal are being escorted by RPF employees.
According to the railway minister, the growth of the rail line in Jammu and Kashmir is benefiting the area people and companies by bettering transportation and connectivity, boosting tourism, and facilitating the motion of products and companies.
“It’s a positive development for the region,” Vaishnaw mentioned.
Source: zeenews.india.com
